May 14, 2016, 9:13 am
Last edit by: Alcibiades
Sorry for the rambling OP. I skipped my meds for a couple of weeks.
Note: If it's MOs that still motivate, just skip this post. Although it's still done out there, it just doesn't interest, just my two cents.
On promotions where a min spend promotion over a specific period of time, one could just get that $500 spend out of the way with one purchase in the specific category where the points are better than 1pt./$1 and be done with it for the month. Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
It also keeps one from exceeding the min. spend benchmark as one can easily be distracted when busy, which I confess, happened to me. The GC can just deny when the purchase is over the amount. Yes, I know that online payments are a better method but there are so many promotions in various categories, other cards often dominate.
I use the JetBlue MC $500 spend for 3x months for 5000 points to base my thought here. I "recklessly" spent a portion of $600 in categories that didn't net me the extra points.
Had I used the card to pick up the $495.00 GC at the grocer, I would have gotten the $500 spend over with for the first month, garnered the 2xs normal TrueBlue points upfront and then went on to spend it (pay as you go normal spend or online bill pay) at/in lesser point categories. Done for the month.
I am then free to pay attention to my other minimum spend pursuits on cards that may require more thought/strategy.
Note: If it's MOs that still motivate, just skip this post. Although it's still done out there, it just doesn't interest, just my two cents.
On promotions where a min spend promotion over a specific period of time, one could just get that $500 spend out of the way with one purchase in the specific category where the points are better than 1pt./$1 and be done with it for the month. Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
It also keeps one from exceeding the min. spend benchmark as one can easily be distracted when busy, which I confess, happened to me. The GC can just deny when the purchase is over the amount. Yes, I know that online payments are a better method but there are so many promotions in various categories, other cards often dominate.
I use the JetBlue MC $500 spend for 3x months for 5000 points to base my thought here. I "recklessly" spent a portion of $600 in categories that didn't net me the extra points.
Had I used the card to pick up the $495.00 GC at the grocer, I would have gotten the $500 spend over with for the first month, garnered the 2xs normal TrueBlue points upfront and then went on to spend it (pay as you go normal spend or online bill pay) at/in lesser point categories. Done for the month.
I am then free to pay attention to my other minimum spend pursuits on cards that may require more thought/strategy.
Revised method oped worth about 2cents
May 12, 2016, 7:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
Revised method oped worth about 2cents
Note: If it's MOs that still motivate, just skip this post. Although it's still done out there, it just doesn't interest, just my two cents.
On promotions where a min spend promotion over a specific period of time, one could just get that $500 spend out of the way with one purchase in the specific category where the points are better than 1pt./$1 and be done with it for the month. Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
It also keeps one from exceeding the min. spend benchmark as one can easily be distracted when busy, which I confess, happened to me. The GC can just deny when the purchase is over the amount. Yes, I know that online payments are a better method but there are so many promotions in various categories, other cards often dominate.
I use the JetBlue MC $500 spend for 3x months for 5000 points to base my thought here. I "recklessly" spent a portion of $600 in categories that didn't net me the extra points.
Had I used the card to pick up the $495.00 GC at the grocer, I would have gotten the $500 spend over with for the first month, garnered the 2xs normal TrueBlue points upfront and then went on to spend it (pay as you go normal spend or online bill pay) at/in lesser point categories. Done for the month.
I am then free to pay attention to my other minimum spend pursuits on cards that may require more thought/strategy.
As an aside, a Walmart SuperCenter buy registered as a grocery purchase (2xs points).
On promotions where a min spend promotion over a specific period of time, one could just get that $500 spend out of the way with one purchase in the specific category where the points are better than 1pt./$1 and be done with it for the month. Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
It also keeps one from exceeding the min. spend benchmark as one can easily be distracted when busy, which I confess, happened to me. The GC can just deny when the purchase is over the amount. Yes, I know that online payments are a better method but there are so many promotions in various categories, other cards often dominate.
I use the JetBlue MC $500 spend for 3x months for 5000 points to base my thought here. I "recklessly" spent a portion of $600 in categories that didn't net me the extra points.
Had I used the card to pick up the $495.00 GC at the grocer, I would have gotten the $500 spend over with for the first month, garnered the 2xs normal TrueBlue points upfront and then went on to spend it (pay as you go normal spend or online bill pay) at/in lesser point categories. Done for the month.
I am then free to pay attention to my other minimum spend pursuits on cards that may require more thought/strategy.
As an aside, a Walmart SuperCenter buy registered as a grocery purchase (2xs points).
Last edited by jan_believes; May 12, 2016 at 7:25 am Reason: a few words for clarity
May 12, 2016, 9:37 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 135
Note: If it's MOs that still motivate, just skip this post. Although it's still done out there, it just doesn't interest, just my two cents.
Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
Yes, I know the so called "game" spurns a GC fee as almost anathema for anything other than a cash out vehicle, but done with that.
If you haven't tried MOs yet, listen to the OP!
May 13, 2016, 8:57 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 253
This makes about as much sense as a lead balloon.
May 13, 2016, 10:24 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
It actually makes no sense at all. Just nonsensical babbling and incomplete thoughts / sentences.
May 13, 2016, 2:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
May 13, 2016, 3:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
As I understand it the point is that its better to spend 4.95 each month buy purchasing a gift card if you have a bonus offer like spend 500 each month for three months, that way you will not actually lose track and spend 600 one month, that extra 100 could be better spent on a different more valuable card. so the moral of the story is its better to spend an extra $15 to gain an extra 100 miles in a better account.
one minor flaw is the reduced purchase protection when purchasing with a visa gift card rather than a regular visa card and the spending the extra $15.
one minor flaw is the reduced purchase protection when purchasing with a visa gift card rather than a regular visa card and the spending the extra $15.
May 13, 2016, 3:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 285
That OP is some beautiful mind s&#t right there
May 13, 2016, 4:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
As I understand it the point is that its better to spend 4.95 each month buy purchasing a gift card if you have a bonus offer like spend 500 each month for three months, that way you will not actually lose track and spend 600 one month, that extra 100 could be better spent on a different more valuable card. so the moral of the story is its better to spend an extra $15 to gain an extra 100 miles in a better account.
one minor flaw is the reduced purchase protection when purchasing with a visa gift card rather than a regular visa card and the spending the extra $15.
one minor flaw is the reduced purchase protection when purchasing with a visa gift card rather than a regular visa card and the spending the extra $15.
May 13, 2016, 4:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
May 13, 2016, 4:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
May 13, 2016, 10:53 pm
#12
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
This thread seems to be a bit difficult for members to follow. OP, please feel free to re-post in a more coherent manner.
